Machine tool control



Oct. 16, 1945. c. JOHNSON MACHINE TOOL CONTROL Original Filed March 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnnentor CLARENCE JOHNSON [III/III] I I II [If I! rf/III 0a. 16, 1945. c. JOHNSON 2,387,075

MACHINE Toot. CONTROL Original Filed Mar'ch 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor CLARENCE JOHNSON Oct. 16, 1945. c. JOHNSON 2,387,075

MACHINE TOOL CONTROL 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed March 20, 1941 I Zhwemor Oct. 16, 1945. c. JOHNSON 2,387,075

MACHINE TOOLYCONTROL I Original Filed March 20, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Imuentor FIG. 7 i CLARENCE JOHNSON Owls 1945' A ON 2,387,075

MACHINE TOOL co'NTRoL' Original Iiiled March 20, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 5' 3nvemor CLARENCE JOHNSON Patented hot. 16, 1945 I MACHINE TOOL CONTROL Clarence Johnson, South Euclid, Ghio, asslgnor to Bailey Meter Company, a corporation of Dela- Original application March 20, 19M, Serial No. 384,375, now Patent No. fldldsi'dd, dated March 27, 1945. Dlvided and this application June 17,

1943, Serial No. 49l,239%

14 Claims. (on. eo -isiii This invention-relates to duplicators ior controlling the operation 01' a machine tool sosthat it forms a work piece to a contour or configuration determined by a template, pattern, or cam.

One of the objects of my invention is to improve-the sensitivity of duplicators of the type described, and thereby increasethe accuracy with which the work piece is formed.

A further object of my invention is to provide a duplicator of materially simpler construction than those now available.

A further object of my invention is to provide a duplicator employing .no moving parts in the ieeler mechanism scanning the template, pattern or com.

In accordance with my invention the template, pattern or cam for producing the desired coniigoration oi? the worl; piece is scanned by a jet of fluid issuing from a nozzle, so that variations in the shape of the tempicte, pattern or cam cause corresponding chances in the rate at which fluid is discharged from the nozzle, which changes in turn control th relative movement oi the tool wort: piece.

Further, in accordance with my invention the changes in the rate at which fluid is discharged from the nozzl eilect corresponding variations in the pressure, of the fluid in the nozzle, which latter variations are used to control the relative positioning of the tool and work piece.

Further, in accordance with my invention the chances in fluid pressure control the relative po-, sitioning of the tool and work piece through a hydraulic relay and servo-motor, to the end that relative rates of movement between the tool and I swclflc types of machine tools. Furtherapplications and modifications of my invention willbe readily apparent.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation and Fig. 2 is a front elevation of a vertical milling machine illustrating the application of my invention thereto.

Fi 3 is a sectional view taken along the line lt of Figs. 1 and 2m the direction or the arrows.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modified form of nozzle scanning mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a pilot valve for controlling the flow of fluid to and from a hydraulic servc-motorfor regulating the relative feed of the tool and work piece. Fig. 6 illustrates diagrammatically a modified form of fluid pressure system.

his. '7 is a side elevation and Fig. d is e. pl

' view oi an engine lathe showing the application of my invention theretoi v Fig. s illustrates a further embodiment of my invention incorporating a modification.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, I tliercin.

show a vertical milling machine having a column I, a work table t, and arotatabie form milling ,along the guide ways I. A similarv hand wheel 9 ,is-provided ior'positioning the lmee 5, along the vertical guide ways "I. The work table 2 is mounted on a horizontal suid'eway l0 formed in the saddle t and is positionable relative thereto by a lead screw H. The cutter 8 is secured to a spindle i2 rotated by a motor it, which. may be work piece in two directions are simultaneously controlled, so that the rate of iced'oi the tool remains substantially constant regardless of changes in contour of the template, pattern or cam.

' Further, in accordance with my invention sepa rate and independent means are provided for controlling the rate of relative movement between tool and work piece in each direction.

Obviously, a duplicator of the type forming the subject matter of my invention may be employed with machine tools of various types, such as milling machines, 'lathes, slotters, planers, die-sinkmg machines and the like in which the relative feed between the tool and work may be suitably controlled. By way of example I will. illustrate I i and describe my invention as applied too few iurtheradaptedto position the work table 2 along one or more of the suideways as well known.

At M is shown a typical work piece consisting of a concave. iorging of more or less elliptical the flange, and by my invention the work piece is automatically-moved relative to the cutter so that the latter accurately forms the outer profile of the raised portion of the flange.

The workpiece id is shown as being secured to a fixture ill by adjustable clamping means It. Because of the nature of the machining operatlon fro be performed the fixture it is mounted on a circular table i1 secured to the work table 2 and rotatable at desired speed by the motor it through suitable reducing gears and shafting (not shown). The machining of the work piece i4 is completed in one revolution of the circular table i1, during the revolution the work piece being moved relative to the cutter 3 to accurately profile the male flangeby means now to be described.

The fixture l5 has a horizontally extending skirt l9 forming a cam or template, the contour of which is formed to produce the desired contour of the raised portion of the flange on the work piece l4. A raised barrier 20 is preferably employed to hold chips cut from the work piece from scattering.

Fastened to the column i is an arm 2: in which is journaled a nozzle 22. Secured to the nozzle is an extension 23 which pivotally supports a follower 24 having a projection 25 urged against "the cam or template l9 by a spring 23. The nozzle 22 is preferably resilientl journaled in the arm 2| by means of spaced collars 21 and spring 28, which provide for lateral movements, thereby preventing injury to the nozrle in the event that the follower 24 is inadvertently jammed against it. i Y

The nozzle 22 is connected to a suitable source of pressure fluid (not' shown), such as compressed air, by a flexible tube 29 in which is inserted an orifice or other partial restriction 30. Normally therefore a jet of fluid is continuously discharged from the port 3! against the follower 24, which acts as a valve member for the port, its movements toward and away from the port governing the rate of discharge of fluid therefrom.- That is to say, when the follower 24 is positioned to the left, or closer to the port 3|, as shown in Fig. 3, the rate of discharge from the port is decreased, whereas when the follower 24 is positioned to the right, or away from the port, the rate of discharge from the nozzle increases. Such changes in the rate of discharge from the port effect corresponding changes in the pressure of the fluid within the nozzle, a decrease in the rate of discharge effecting an increase inJ-the pressure of the fluid within the nozzle, whereas an increase in the rate of discharge effects a corresponding decrease in fluid pressure.

As thetemplate i9 and the work piece l4 are. rotated by the circular table I I the follower 24 will be positioned towardand away from the port 3! in accordance with changes in the conflgura-,

tion of the template. Such positioning of the follower 24 effects changes in the pressure of the fluid within the nozzle 22. These pressure vaiiations are effective for positioning the work table 2, to return the follower 24 to the normal distance from the port 3|. Inasmuch as in the embodiment of my'invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the cutter 3 is stationary, as is also the nozzle 22, it follows that if the work table 2 is positioned to maintain a normal distance between the follower 24 and port 3| the work piece 14 will upon completion-of the machining operathe contical in contour, and, therefore, the term corthose skilled in the art, by calculation or graphically.

The pattern or template has a shape corresponding to the desired path of movement of the tool to produce the desired finished work piece. By corresponding" is meant that not only is the pattern or template the same shape as the desired work piece, eitherin greater or smaller proportion thereto; but also that the pattern or template is in any desired distorted shape to compensate for characteristics of the machine.

While the pattern or template must correspond to the desired work piece, it is not necessarily idenresponds implies that the pattern or template is purposely designed to result in the desired contour of the work piece to be produced.

Changes in the shape and size of the projection 25 relative to that of the cutter .3 will also modify the shape of the template l9 necessary to produce a desired shape of the work piece M. In some instances the design of the template i9 is somewhat simplified by having the projection 25 the same. shape and size as the cutter 3, and therefore I usually find it desirable to employ the construction shown in Fig. 3. However, in some instances it may be preferable to employ the construction shown in Fig. 4( As shown, the follower 24 and projection 25 are eliminated. The nozzle 22 is located immediately adjacent the template l9 so that the template itself acts as the valve member for the port 3!. Other than this the construction andoperation will be as described with reference to Fig. 3.

Pressures established within the nozzle 22 are transmitted through a flexible tube 33 to a relay within a protecting housing 33A and shown in cross section in Fig. 5. The tube 33 connects with the interior of a bellows 32 secured to a wall of the housing 33A. The force produced by the fluid pressure acts against the lower or free head of the bellows and is 'opposed by the inherent resiliency of the bellows and an elliptical spring 35. The free head of the bellows will therefore assume a position corresponding to the magnitude of the fluid pressure. Movements of the lower head of th bellows position a movable valve member 36A of a hydraulic pilot valve 36 to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to and from a servo-motor 38 having a piston 31 operating the lead screw l I through a rack 39, spur gears 40, and a final gear 4| which is splined to the lead screw to permit relative axial movement.

Assuming now that the normal distance exists between the port 3! and follower 24 a definite pressure will exist within the bellows 32. which by adjustment of the spring 35 will cause the valve member 36A to assume a neutral position, i. e. a position in which no hydraulic fluid passes between the pilot valve 36 and servo-motor 38. If now the follower 24 moves toward the port 3| the pressure within the bellows 32 will increase, causing a downward positioning of the valve member 36A, a passage of hydraulic fluid between the pilot valve 36 and servo-motor 38 causing the piston 31 to move the work table 2 in a direction to restore the port 3! and follower 24 to normal distance. Upon a decrease in fluid pressure within the bellows 32 the servo-motor 38 will position the work table 2 in opposite direction, thereby positioning the follower 24 toward the port 22 until normal distance is restored. It is apparent that by proper shaping of the template IS the follower 24 may be moved toward and away from the port 3| as the circular table asanon I] revolves to eflect corresponding movements oi the work table 2 relative to the cutter 3 to effect accurate shaping of the work piece ll.

Hydraulic fluid, such as oil, used in positioning the piston 31 of the servo-motor 38 may be pumped by any suitable means, such as the oil pump 43 driven by a' motor M. The pump 43 is provided with an inlet pipe 45 extending into an oil reservoir 46, and a discharge pipe 41 which is connected to the inlet port 60 of the' pilot valve 36. Hydraulic fluid returned from the servo-motor 38 to the pilot valve is passed to the meets the outlet pipe bi with the pump it and the outlet port til with the exhaust port it.

The movable valve member 35A. is provided with Sealing glands t and tit, which are of substantially the same diameter as the passageway ti extending longitudinally through the pilot Oil from the pump it is admitted under valve. pressure through pipe ii to the inlet port til which is in the form of an annular chamber. The port 5b is in communication withthe pas saseway bl through a plurality of equally spaced upper ll-ports ti and a similar plurality of lower t -ports 62. With the valve member 35A in the neutral position, that is in the position occupied when the follower Ed is the normal distance from the port ti, then a land ti restricts communication between i ports E52 and outlet port 59.

established between the inlet pipe ti and the,

outlet port lit. The area of the uncovered V- ports iii depends upon the displacement of the valve member til-A from the neutral position, and

accordingly the how of oil from the inlet pipe it, and from the outlet port ti on the exhaust pipe as. It will be noted that upon downward positioning of the valve member 36A, which se tablishes communication between the inlet pipe it? and outlet port ht, communication is likewise established between the outlet port ti andexhaust pipe ts. Pressure fluid is thus transmitted through pipe 52 to one side of the piston 81 and simultaneously withdrawn from the oppo- 1 site side of the piston through pipe 53 to exhaust port as. Upward positioning of the valve member ttA fromthe neutral position results in opposits action, in this instance pressure fluid being transmitted from inlet pipe 67, pipe 53, to

one side of piston. 31.?reesure fluid is simultaneously withdrawn sfrom the opposite side of piston 31 through pipe 52 to outlet port 50, and thence to exhaust pipe 48. It will be noted that whenever the valve member 86A is in other than 5 the neutral position, the. piston 81 will continue to move in predetermined direction. Accordingly, upon the follower 24 being in other than the normal position, the work table 2, and the work piece Hlwill be positioned until normal distance is restored. It is further evident that the rate at which the table twill be positioned will be dependent upon the amount of displacement of the follower 2% from the normal position relative to the port'ti. If a sudden change in contourof template it occurs, the table 2 will be rapidly positioned but upon relatively slow rate of change in the contour of the template a corre- I spondingl slow change in position of the table 2 will occur. Thus the pilot valve 38 will cause the work piece to be accurately positioned relative to the cutter withoutovershooting or huntins.

substantially the same diameter as the passageway 57, thereby preventing material leakage of oil. The lands t t, 55, st andt'i are however of a somewhat less diameter than the passageway El, thereby preventing undue friction and permitting the member A to be freely positioned so in the passageway. The pressure transmitted from the inlet pipe ill. to outlet ports til and 5t, with the member that in neutral position because the lands till and may be of somewhat less diameter than the passageway, will not affect the 35 accuracy with which the piston-t? is positioned for such pressures will be equal and act in opposite direction on the piston bl. The system will stabilise with the pilot slightly ofl center to balance total pressures rather than unit pressures as would be the case with a construction where the piston rod extends through both ends oi. the cylinder. It will further be noted that the hows into and out of the passageway blare radial, so that there is no reaction on the member-3th bee cause of the velocity of flow into and out of the passageway. Furthermore, the pressures are asially balanced due to the equal areas of lands ti, til, tit and ti so that no reaction exists due to the resultant of the oil pressures acting in an up- 50 ward or downward direction.

While in general 1 have found it preferable to operate the table 2 or comparable device indirectly from the fluid pressures established within the nozzle-22 by means of a hydraulic relay, in

some instances where a relatively light machinins operation is being performed, or an extreme degree of accuracy is not required, I have found it possible to dispense with the hydraulic relay system and employ in its stead a pneumatic relay system as shown in Fig. 6.

Therein I show fluid pressure, such as compressed air, transmitted from the pipe is ahead of the orifice it to a pilot valve it by a pipe ii. The pilot it shown in cross-section may be so constructed that downward positioning of the movable valve member it permits pressure fluid to be transmitted to one side oi the piston 31 and simultaneously exhausts pressure fluid from the opposite side of the piston 37. Conversely upon upward positioning of the member 12 reverse op eration of the piston 31 will occur. When the normal distance exists between port 3! and template ib the member 12 is positionedso that the lands thereodiare adjacent the outlet portsleadinc to the servo-motor 38.. 1

Preferably the sealing lands 5b and 5b are of is of importance and which is controlled by my invention.

Referring to Figs. '7 and 8 I therein show a typical engine lathe having a bed 88, rotatable face plate 8!, and tail stock 82. It is further provided with a carriage 83 movable on guideways 88, 85 longitudinally along the bed 88. Normally the longitudinal movement of the carriage is controlled by a lead screw 86 which may be driven by any suitable source of power (not shown) at any desired speed'by means of suitable reducing gears (not shown).

Mounted on the carriage 83 is a cross-slide 81 carrying a tool holder and tool 81A which by way of example I have shown as forming a work:

piece 88 into general irregular conical form. In the embodiment of my invention shown the transverse motion of the cross-slide 81 is automatically controlled so that the. work piece 88 is formed to correspond in shape to a template 89,

which is secured to'the bed 88 of the lathe by suitable clamping means 98.

The system for positioning the tool 81A relative to the work piece 88 is substantially the same as that described for positioning the cutter 3 relative to the work piece I4. Nozzle 22 is resiliently mounted in an arm 9I secured to the crossslide 81. The projection. 25 of the follower 28 bears against the edge of the template 88, which has a contour to which the work piece 88 is to be shaped. Pressures established in the nozzle 22 are transmittedto the relay 33A, which in turn acts to control the positioning of the piston 31 in servo-motor 38. Positioning of the piston 3'! controls the transverse positioning of the tool 81 through a rack 39 and suitable gears 92A.

In order that the servo-motor 38, relay 33A and associated apparatus may move with the crossslide 81 longitudinally along the lathe they are shown mounted on a truck 92 provided with flanged wheels 93 riding on rails 94. The truck 92 is secured to the carriage 83 so that the servomotor is maintained at proper operating distance from the cross-slide 81.

In operation, as the template 89 changes in shape corresponding variations in pressure within the nozzle 22 occur, which efiect transverse operation of the cross-slide 81 to maintain the follower 24 at normal distance from the port 3|. Simultaneously, the tool BI is moved transversely so that the work piece 88 assumes the same shape as the template 89. The cross-slide 81 is moved longitudinally by the feed screw 86 and carriage 83 at desired speed by any suitable source of power as heretofore described.

In the embodiments of my invention illustrate I have shown the lead screw of a machine tool operated by a servo-motor comprising a piston and a cylinder. It is evident that other types of servomotors may be used such, for example, as hydraulic motors and the like. Because of the positive action and relative simplicity of a piston and cylinder type of servo-motor I find it preferable to use in most instances. The sole disadvantage of this type of servo-motor in the past has been that in those instances where materially great changes in the contour of the template occur, in order to provide corresponding movements of the work piece relative to the tool a cylinder and rack of too great length to be practical was required. I have devised a system, however, whereby a. cylinder and rack of desired length may be used regardless of the configuration of the template. Because the novelty of my system does not reside in an particular element, but in the novel cooperation between a combination of elements, I have chosen to illustrate the system schematically.

Referring to Fig. 9, I therein show the nozzle 22 and cooperating-template I9. It will be evident that if the template I9 has large changes in configuration, in order to obtain corresponding changesin relative positions of the work piece and tool, it will be necessary that the lead screw HA be revolved an exceptionally large number of turns, which ordinarily would require rack 39 and cylinder 38 to be impractically long. In accordance with my invention, however, I employ a rack and cylinder of desired length and when the rack is near the end of its travel in either direction I declutch the lead screw IIA from the gear 4 IA by means of an electromagnetically operated clutch I88, and simultaneously stop the machine. I then, by means of a high speed reset mechanism, position the piston 31 to or about its mid position. Next, I throw in the clutch I88 and then restart the machine. The operations I have described may be performed entirely automatically so that after the machining operation is once started, it is unnecessary that the operator give it any further attention until the operation'is completed.

Describing first the operation whereby the lead screw HA is declutched from the gear MA when 40 the rack 39 approaches the end of its travel in one .direction, a contact I8I carried by the rack 39 engages a stationary contact I82, thus closing the circuit for the coil I83 of a solenoid I8 3. The solenoid has a movable armature I 85 which is positioned downwardly from its mid or neutral position by energization of the coil I83.

The armature I85 carries a horizontal extension I86 terminating in a contact I8I normally, that is when the coil I83 is not excited, engaging a stationary contact I88. The clutch I88 has a coil I89 which holds theclutch in so that movements of the rack 39 are transmitted to the lead screw HA. When the coil I89 is deenergized, the clutch I88 .is declutched so that regardless of movement of the rack 39, the lead screw I IA remains stationary. .As shown, energization of the coil I89 is controlled by contacts I8II88. Thus,

upon energization the coil I83 and the armature I85 moving downwardly clutch I88 is opened so that thereafter until contact I8'I--I88' again enease, the lead screw IIA will remain stationary. So far as the operation of the clutch I88 is concerned, the same sequence of events occurs upon the rack 39 approaching the end of its travel in opposite direction. In this instance the stationary contact I82 engaging a contact IIII secured to the rack 39 and effecting upward movement of the solenoid I84 due to energization of a coil II I. It will be noted that in this case contacts I8I-I88 will disengage, therebydeenergizing coil I89 and declutching rack 39 from the lead screw HA.

The lower end of the armature I85 forms a movable valve member II 2 of a pilot valve H3. Carried by the member I I2 are land [I4 and H5 its operating range.

normally disposed in a closed position so that hydraulic fluid is neither transmitted to or from pipe H8 and ill. The pilot valve is supplied with oil underpressure from any suitable source (not shown) through an inlet port 9 disposed between lands lid and H5. The pilotvalve also hastwo exhaust ports I20 and iti.

tive to the tool in correspondence with changes.

in the configuration of the template i t as heretofore described; During these periods of normal operation, the armature .idt is in the neutral position so that oil is transmitted neither to nor By way of diagrammatic illustration, Ishow in pipes 52 and 53 solenoid operated valvesliii and i2! normally energized and in open position so that hydraulic fluid is trans mitted freely from the relay ass to the cylinder i 38.

I2! is controlled by a relay'i29, the energization Th energization ofthe solenoids I26 and of which in turn is controlled by contacts Nil-46B. Thus as long as contacts till-J08 are from the pipes lit and iii. Upon either upward or downward movement of the armature ltd it will be observed, however, that lands lid and lit will be displaced from the neutral position thereby permitting hydraulic fluid to be trans-- mitted to one of the pipes tit or iii and withdrawn from the other pipe.

In operation upon the contact idi engaging stationary contact nor, for example, indicating that the rack til has reached its approximate travel and in that direction, the armaturev lot will move downwardly, thereby connecting inlet port lit with pipe il'l so that hydraulic fluid will be transmitted to the cylinder at and position piston ti to the right as shown in the drawings so that the rack is restored to a position within Simultaneously, with the transmittal oi hydraulic hold to pipe i ii, hydraulic fluid will be withdrawn irom the opposite side of piston or through pipes or, tit and exhaust port lid. The operation when the contact Mil encased the stationary contact tilt is similar in this instance to the armature it? moving upwardly thereby connecting inlet port lid with pipe till so that hydraulic fluid is transmitted to pipe Eli and positioning the rack lit in opposite direction. Simultaneously, pipe it'll is connected with exhaust port iii so that hydraulic fluid is withdrawn from pipe oh and the opposite side oi piston til.

To prevent the armature tot being restored to the nentral'position as soon as disengagement between contact idt and contact lot or tit oc ours and, further, to govern the resetting oi raclr to, i provide a time delay means, in the drawincs shown as a dash pot lit, which may beprovided with an adjustable bleed valve tilt to covern the time required for the armature tot to be repositioned to the neutral position and hence the position to which the piston t'iwiil be restored after having reached an extreme of travel. Conveniently, the dash pot iii may be provided with biasing springs lit to maintain the arma== ture tot in neutral position during periods'oi normal operation.

As will be understood by more familiar with the art, I may by proper design, of pilot lit reniii) closed, the solenoids I25 andlZl are energized. When, however, the armature m5 isdisplaced from the neutral position, solenoid relay I28 breaks the circuit through solenoid valves i26- i2l so that communication between. relay 33A and cylinder 38'is stopped. Normal communication will be reestablished when the armatureiilt is returned to the neutral position and contacts lift-I08 reengage. Thus, if preierable, i may during a reset operation isolate the cylinder it so that the piston 81 is controlled solely. from pilot lit. v i- During the reset operation, the machine is preferably stopped to prevent the tool from incorrect- 1y forming thework piece while the clutch B is disengaged. To this end I show the motor ISA, driving the machine, as controlled from contacts till-I88. Connected in the motor circuit is' a solenoid relay it!) normally energized through contacts lot-lot. When these contacts disencase, however, solenoid lot breaks the circuit to motor 93A. Preferably motor ltd is not restarted until a short increment oi time after contacts lot-ltd have reencaged. To provide for this I show the solenoid ltd as provided with a dash pot it! having,an adjustable bleed valve Hi2 so that the delay in restarting the motor the.

Justment has been altered during the period at time when the reset operation is telling place This application is a division of my copenasl.

application Serial No. 3%,3'75 flied in the United "States Patent Oflice on March 2%), that, now Pat ellt No. 2,372,426, granted March 27, 1M5. Rel

erence may also be had to my application serial No. 298,290, filed in the United States Patent 0i rice October 6, 1939, now Patent No. 3,259,t7d,

granted October 21, loci, and as to which my said application Serial No. 384,376: forms a con tinuation-in-part. a

While in accordancewith the patent statutes ii have described certain embodiments of my invention it is evident that such emoodiments may be modified in many ways without depar at from the spirit and scope of the invention. Such em bodiments of my invention as .i have chosen to describe should therefore be taken as merely illustrative and not as limiting.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. In a duplicator for machine tools and the like having a relatively movable tool and work piece, a member for relatively movinnsaid worhv piece and tool, a. servo-motor normally in engage and merit with said member for driving the positionable in either direction between prede cylinder 88 during periods when the piston 11. is. being reset.

servo-motor away from said limit during said increment of time.

2. In a duplicator for machine tools and the like having a relatively movable tool and work' piece, a motor for driving the machine tool, a

member for relatively moving said work piece and tool, a servo-motor normally in engagement with said member for driving the same and position- .ablein either direction between limits, means operative uponsaid servo-motor reaching one of said limits for disengaging said servo-motor from said member for an increment of time and deenergizing said motor, and means under the control adapted to be moved transversely of the work a piece, motor means positioning said tool in either direction axially of the work piece between predetermined limits, normally inoperative means becoming operative upon said motor means reaching either one of said limits for disengaging said motor means from said tool fora predetermined increment of time, and means for positioning said motor means away from said limit during said increment of time. v

4. In a lathe having means for normally rotating a work piece between centers, a forming tool adapted to be moved transversely of the work piece, motor means positioning said tool in "either direction axially of the work piece between pre-' determined limits, normally inoperative means made operative when said motor means reaches either one of said limits for disengaging said motor means from said tool fora predetermined period of time, and means automatically returning said motor means to a position approximately midway the two limits during said period of time.

5. In a machine tool having a relatively movable tool and work piece, a member for relatively movin said tool and work piece, apattern to which the work piece is to conform, means scanning said pattern and controlling the movement of said member, hydraulic means normally in engagement with said member for driving the same and positionable between limits, said hydraulic means under the control of said scanning means, and means operative upon said hydraulic means reaching a limit for disengaging said hydraulic means from said member.

6. The combination of claim?) including means whereby the said disengagement is for a predetermined interval of time, and means for positioning the hydraulic-means away from said limit during said interval of time.

7. The combination of claim 5 including means eflective when said disengagement takes place for automatically removing control of the hydraulic means from said scanning means and positioning said hydraulic means away from the limit.

8. In a milling machine having means for normally rotating a work piece, a rotating cutter adapted to engage said work piece, a member upon which the rotatable work piece is mounted,

means for moving said member relative to the cutter in either direction along a line between two limits, means adapted to disengage said moving means from said member upon reaching.

either limit, and means for retracting said mov ing means to a position approximately midway of said limits while it is disengaged from the member.

9. In a milling machine having means for normally rotating a work piece, a rotating cutter adapted to engage said work piece, amember upon which the rotatable work piece is mounted, means 'for moving said member relative to the cutter in either direction along a line between two limits, means adapted to desengage said moving means from said member upon reaching either limit,

and means for stopping said rotating means while the moving means is disengaged.

10. In a machine tool having a relatively movable tool and work piece, a. member for relatively moving said tool and work piece, hydraulic means normally in engagement with said member for driving the same and positionable between limits, means operative upon said hydraulic means reaching one of said limits for disengaging said hydraulic means from said member, and means automatically positioning said hydraulic means to a position'approximately midway the limits while it is disengaged from the member.

11. In a material working machine having a relatively movable tool and work piece, a member for relatively moving said tool and work piece, a pattern to which the work piece is to conform, means scanning said pattern and controlling the movement of said member, fluid pressure means normally in engagement with said member for driving the same and positionable between limits, said fluid pressure means under the control of said scanning means, and means operative upon said fluid pressure means reaching a limit for disengaging said fluid pressure means from said member. 7. r

12. The combination of claim 11 including means whereby the said disengagement is for a predetermined interval of time, and means for positioning the fluid pressure means away from said limitduring said interval of time;

13. The combination of claim 11 including means efiective when said disengagement takes Place for automatically removing control of the fluidpressure means from said scanning means and positioning said fluid pressure means away from the limit.

14. In a material working machine having a. relatively movable tool and work piece, a member for relatively moving said tool and work piece, fluid pressure means normally in engagement with said member for driving the same and positionable between'limits, means operative upon said fluid pressure means reachingone of said 

